Devices and method for increasing running performance

Abstract

A running device and method of using the device are disclosed. The device may include a moveable material within an inner chamber of the running device's housing. In operation, a running device may be held in each hand and the runner may thrust both hands downward prior to landing and quickly bring the devices to a vertical stop after landing. Bringing the devices to a vertical stop may cause the moveable material to collide with the housing and increase the force exerted by the runner on the ground. A delay component may delay the peak force exerted by the material against the housing so that the translation of that force to the ground coincides with the peak force that the runner would have exerted against the ground in the absence of the devices.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An exercise device comprising:
 a closed chamber having an inner side surface separating opposing inner top and bottom surfaces, the top surface and the bottom surface further defining an axis extending between the top and bottom surfaces; 
 a solid moveable material disposed within the chamber and configured to move in alternating first and second directions along the axis thereof; and 
 a resilient member between the bottom surface and the solid moveable material, the resilient member configured to delay movement of the solid moveable material when the solid moveable material moves toward the bottom surface, 
 wherein a first gap between the solid moveable material and the top surface of the chamber is formed when the solid moveable material is adjacent the bottom surface of the chamber and a second gap between the solid moveable material and the bottom surface of the chamber is formed when the solid moveable material is adjacent the top surface of the chamber, and 
 wherein the solid moveable material is tensioned within the chamber by the resilient member. 
 
     
     
       2. The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein the inner side surface is cylindrical. 
     
     
       3. The exercise device of  claim 1 , further comprising an outer surface adapted to be fastened to an outer housing. 
     
     
       4. The exercise device of  claim 1 , further comprising an outer surface adapted to be slidingly received in a recess of an outer housing. 
     
     
       5. The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein the resilient member is a spring. 
     
     
       6. The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein the resilient member is a first resilient member and further comprising a second resilient member between the top surface of the chamber and the solid moveable material. 
     
     
       7. The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein the resilient member remains in contact with the solid moveable material during use of the exercise device. 
     
     
       8. The exercise device of  claim 1 , further comprising a housing wherein the chamber is contained within the housing. 
     
     
       9. The exercise device of  claim 8 , wherein the housing has a cylindrical outer surface. 
     
     
       10. An exercise device comprising:
 a housing having at least one inner side surface, an inner top surface and an inner bottom surface, wherein a chamber is defined by the at least one inner side, top and bottom surfaces; 
 a solid moveable material disposed within the chamber and configured to move in alternating directions along an axis thereof; and 
 a resilient member between the bottom surface and the solid moveable material, the resilient member configured to delay movement of the solid moveable material when the solid moveable material moves toward the bottom surface, 
 wherein a first gap between the solid moveable material and the top surface of the chamber is formed when the solid moveable material is adjacent the bottom surface of the chamber and a second gap between the solid moveable material and the bottom surface of the chamber is formed when the solid moveable material is adjacent the top surface of the chamber, and 
 wherein the solid moveable material is tensioned within the chamber by the resilient member. 
 
     
     
       11. The exercise device of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one inner side surface is cylindrical. 
     
     
       12. The exercise device of  claim 10 , further comprising an outer surface adapted to be fastened to an outer housing. 
     
     
       13. The exercise device of  claim 10 , further comprising an outer surface adapted to be slidingly received in a recess of an outer housing. 
     
     
       14. The exercise device of  claim 10 , wherein the resilient member is a spring. 
     
     
       15. The exercise device of  claim 10 , wherein the resilient member is a first resilient member and further comprising a second resilient member between the top surface of the chamber and the solid moveable material. 
     
     
       16. The exercise device of  claim 10 , wherein the resilient member remains in contact with the solid moveable material during use of the exercise device. 
     
     
       17. The exercise device of  claim 10 , wherein the housing has a cylindrical outer surface. 
     
     
       18. An exercise device comprising:
 a housing; 
 a closed chamber contained within the housing, the closed chamber defined by at least one inner side surface and an inner top surface and an inner bottom surface facing the inner top surface, the top surface and the bottom surface further defining an axis extending from the top surface to the bottom surface; 
 a solid moveable material disposed within the inner chamber and configured to move in alternating directions along the axis thereof; and 
 a resilient member between the bottom surface and the solid moveable material, the resilient member configured to delay movement of the solid moveable material when the solid moveable material moves toward the bottom surface, 
 wherein a first gap between the solid moveable material and the top surface of the chamber is formed when the solid moveable material is adjacent the bottom surface of the chamber and a second gap between the solid moveable material and the bottom surface of the chamber is formed when the solid moveable material is adjacent the top surface of the chamber, and 
 wherein the solid moveable material is tensioned within the chamber by the resilient member. 
 
     
     
       19. The exercise device of  claim 18 , wherein the resilient member is a spring. 
     
     
       20. The exercise device of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one inner side surface is cylindrical.